Deadly Communal Clash Claims 3 Lives In Ebonyi

Posted by African Examiner Ebonyi, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, November 14th, 2016

By Ignatius Okpara

EBONYI, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Hell was let loosed on Sunday in Ebonyi State, south East Nigeria, as two warring communities, Onweonweiya and Mkpumaekweoku in Izzi council Area of the state engaged each other in a deadly clash, which left 3 persons dead.

AFRICAN EXAMINER gathered that the communal war equally consumed property valued several millions of naira.

The renewed hostilities broke out over ownership of a vast farmland which had been in contention between the two communities.

Youths of both communities engaged each other in a fierce battle which led to the death of three persons while, dozens sustained various degrees of injuries.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after visiting the warring communities, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Dave Umahi, on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala confirmed that at least three persons died during the clash.

According to him, the corpses of the victims were recovered by the police in the disputed farmland.

The Governor’s aide, expressed the state government’s resolve to restore peace to the community by getting to the root of the matter.

He however, warned that the government would deal with any faction that refused to allow peace to reign in the communities, stressing that with the recent development, the state government has directed relevant authorities to brief it on the immediate and remote cause of the crisis.

Our Correspondent learnt that the dispute had lingered for many years.